Ventilated awning



Sept-- 30, 1952 D. KRAMER ET AL VENTILATED AWNING Filed Aug. 6, 1949 -use on another building. 1

Patented Sept. 30, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT FFICEy f l uvEN'rILA'rEn AWNrNo'V i David Kramer, West Los Angeles, and Olin Hp Stapp, Montebello, Calif., assignors, by'mesne assignments, to Air-Vent Awning Company, Los

, Angeles, Calif., a partnership Application August 6, 1949,seria1No. ioasnniV Our invention relates generally to awnings vand more particularly to exterior` awnings of the type adapted tobe permanently installed on a rbuilding or other supporting structure.

In order to be permanently installed, anawning of the above type shouldbesuitable for.. all weather conditions, and should bea light-weight structure which can be easily installed on a building without great cost andwithout:theinecessity fork a great amount of custoin'vtting. Accordingly, it is a major objectof our.- invention to provide a permanent awning which is vsuitable for use throughout the seasons, and .which provides protection against all the elements.

It is another object of ourinvention to provide van improved awning of great simplicity and lightweight construction which may be pre-fabricated and assembled at a building site with the simplest offhand tools. v

f A further object of our invention is 4to provide for the circulation of air upwardly through the awning and prevent the accumulation oflheated vair beneath the awning. 'Such circulation means `have been provided in the present invention, without sacrificing the protection afforded against the direct force of the elements.

Still another object ofour invention is to provide an improved awning whichmay be constructed in a great variety of shapes and sizes by merely changing the amountof basic parts used, while avoiding the necessity for hand finishing and fitting on a particularinstallation..

A still further object of our invention is to provide an improved awning which may be dis-assembled if necessary, and which may be removed from'the building without damage to the awning itself,y or the building structure.v I An advantage of this is that the awning may then be conveniently stored or shipped andre-assembled for These and other objects and our invention will become apparent from the following detailed description-of a particular form thereof, and from an inspection of the accompanying drawings, in which? r i Fig. 1 is a partial perspective View of our improved awning shown installed to protect a conventional window; I n

Fig. 2 is a' vertical cross-section ofthe device showing the supporting and frame .members thereof; Y.

Fig. 3 is a partial cross-section of the devic taken along the'line 3-3 of Fig. 2; and l Fig. 4 is an enlarged and partial cross-section showing the engagementbetween adjacent covering members. .e

f 9 claims. (o1. zii-57.5)

advantagespof The particular device which we'shall describe hereinafter in connection with the drawings is a form of the invention generally used to protect window openings, and` is of a shape and pitch to provide adequate protection against the inclined rays of the sun. i

We wish it to be understood, however, that vthe invention is not limited to use inv this particular manner, but may be used,as lfor example,

over a porch or patio to provide protection immediately therebeneath.

Referring now to the Adrawings and particularly to Fig. l thereof, Athe numeral It indicates a generally horizontal frame member or support fastened by suitable means to a vertical surface of a building, as for example, along the upper easement of a conventional window. The `surface I3 of the awning is generally rectangular and inclines outwardly and downwarolly fromthe supportl. A lowerIframe member or support II is parallel to the frame member Ill and outwardlydisposed therefrom to support they lower edge of the-.awning End braces I2 extend outwardly from thebuild'ing and are connected to the ends of the lower frame member kII to comy plete .the framing. Asis seen best in Fig. 2, the

end braces .I2 are generally horizontal and :form

with'the upper support I0 and the lower support I I, an open generally triangularr structure which supports the downwardly inclined surface I3 of lmeans. II may be eliminated, and the surface I3 of the device may be supported entirelyfrom the upper supporting,` member I0, and'it is there- Ifore apparent that the framework of the awning is very simple, and consists of a minimum of lightweight members which may be modified as desirecl.-v f

Thev uppersupport I is of angular section, having a vertical side Ill abutting.. the .building and an inclined base or iiange I5 directed downwardly towards the llower support I I. Along the upper edge ofthe sides I4 is an out-turned-lip I6 forming a horizontal trough along the building. A similar lip I'I is up-turned along the lower edge of the base I5 to form therebetween another horizontaltrough. Both troughs serve as water deflectors as will be hereinafter-explained.

The lower supportil is an angular member of conventional shape,:such Yas a rig-ht angular section and is held by the end braces i2 with the forward wall thereof inclined slightly with respect to the vertical. All of the frame members may be of any suitable material, and in the preferred form of the device, a lightweight structural metal is used throughout.4 Aluminum having a corrosion. and oxidation-resistant baked enamel finish, has proven very satisfactory, and gives an attractive appearance to the device.

The covering or surface i3 of the awning is of sectional corrugated construction comprising a plurality of generally rectangular trough members and fridge memberslfdisposed.inalternate staggered relationship,A with the sides of the ridge members aligned with one side each The troughs of two adjacent trough members. 25 and ridges 26 extend perpendicular to, and

across the upper and lower supports HJ and Il4 to form ya surface which inclines outwardly and :downwardly from the side of the building. Any suitable material may be 'used for the covering, and aresilient sheet aluminu-m is preferred, having a baked `enamel finish similar to that on the frame members to prevent deterioration and present an attractive appearance.

The trough 25 is .formed as a long pan or tray, ribb-ed'andbent longitudinally, as `is best seen in Fig. 3. It is :preferred thatthe bottom portion of the trough 25* be trilaterallyformed into an* central b-and and upwardly deected side bands 3l running therealong. This ribbed or angular' constructionhelpsqto prevent buckling .-orf'warpingiof the trough, andfalso contributes to the attractiveness of the sdevice. edges ofthe bands 3|'are upwardly convergent lateral v.flanges.32'for'engagernent with an adjacent ridge member 26. In assembling the device, .all of the :troughs 2 5'. are vdisposedin.spaced relationshipalong thezsupports I0 and Il, and subsequently the ridges 2.6 Vare interlocked and secured to the troughs. As will be hereinafter explainedrthe ridges 26sare secured only to the troughs25 .andnot tothe supports l0 and H. The.- upper endofzthe. trough 25 passes .beneath the base of the upper support. lill and is attached thereto by suitable-nreanssuch as the bolts 33. -Inorder to .provi-de .a flushjoint, vthe upper ends of `thetlateral .flanges 32 .arefcut back from the end of the trough 25, and they 'do not pass beneath thev base l5butl are terminated so as to alutlthe horizontal lip I1 running therealong.

The' troughv members 25 are substantially longer than the .distancebetweenthe supports lfand. H, andA the .lowerlends ofthe troughs are transversely.bentadjacentthe supporti I to form overhanging. portions:34' which are aligned to provide a generally vertical face or skirt .at the :front of the awning. To facilitate transverse bending of the .trough.2`5, the flanges 32may be cutiorrnotchedat the. bending axis so asto form separate lower flanges 32a. The overhanging portion 34is inclined slightly-to the vertical and is parallel to the forward wall of the support il on. which itzis attached by. suitablemeans such asithe bolts 35.-

Theridge members26 `are generally similar to the troughs 25, being inverted to form elevated surfaces,V between the troughs. The'top of the member 26fcornprises a flat `-central ban-d 36 with downwardly inclined louter` bandsA 31 running ,'therealong. Upon the edges ofthe bands 3'1' are downwardly convergent.lateralflanges 38 for in.

terlocking engagement with the cooperating |flanges 321 of a pair of adjacent troughs 25. As

isbest seen' in Figs. 3 ande, ythe flanges `32and 38 Along the outer overlap to form a tight joint therebetween, and `are engaged to secure a ri-dge member 26 between two adjacent trough members 25, so that the flanges 38 bracket and enclose one flange 32 of each of the adjacent trough members.

The lower ends of the-ridge'members 26 are also bent transversely adjacentthe support Il to form overhanging portions 46 similar to the portions 34 on the troughs 25 and secured thereto, as will be explained. The lower end of the portion 40 in the preferred form is rounded in shape so as to create an attractive scalloped border. onthe face or skirt of the awning.

It will be remembered that the ridge members 26 are locked between the trough members 25 and are not fastened to the supports ID or I i. To .install the ridge members 26, they are inserted by a longitudinal sliding movement between the troughs 25 is is best seen in Fig. 1, showing a partiallyinstalled ridge; the direction of move-ment 'being indicated by the arrow. The flanges v38 bracket tightly aroundthe flanges 32to prevent any lateral movement therebetween, and the angular relationship lbetween the flanges likewise prevents any .upwardor downward motion between thev members vso, as to for-in a very rigid structure. It isz'd-esirable that the upper end of the ridgemember 26 extendabove the lip Il formed on thesupport i6, and the upper ends of the `flanges 38 are cut awa-y so that the top portion of the ridge 26 overhangsthe lip l1, and the ends of the flanges 38 abut thereagainst, as do the ends of theflanges32 on the trough 25. The width ofthe .lip I1 is just equal to the vertical displacement of the. flanges l32 and 38, and it should be noted that the topv .band is spaced a substantial distance above the li-p I1 by the inclined side bands 31 so as to provide a vertical opening or vent 39 as may best be seen in Fig. 3.

On the axisof transverse bending of the ridges 26, the flanges 381are triangularly notched or cut at 42! so aste form separate lower flanges 38a and facilitate deection of the overhanging por.- tion 46. As was previously mentioned, the ridge members 26 are somewhat resilient and flexible, and the flanges .38a arecapable of outward deflection sothat they may be engaged with the lower flanges 32a. Whenthe ridge member 26 has .been moved upwardly almost into position, the flanges :38a -and32a are mutually parallel but they angularlyintersect theupper flanges 32 and 38 which are being interlocked by a longitudinal sliding movement; Therefore, it can be seen that the fianges'38a must be deflected outwardly to override and engage the flanges 32a. As this is done, the ridge member 26'y is seated upwardly against the lip l1, and the flanges 38a are then allowed to spring backinwardly to lock firmly on the flanges 32a. It is, then .impossible to move the ridge members 26. in any direction, and in effect, the lower ilanges32o and 38a are locking flanges to Ihold the upper sliding flanges 32 and '38 from relative movement. It can also be understood that thisr angular interlocking requiresino separatefastening means, and binds `the ridge members'26 and troughl members 25 'that the interlocking construction used-makes '2B and 25 are both structural and covering members, andtheir ribbed construction provides'ffor Vstiiening between the upper support I0 and lower support H so that no longitudinal'supportfneed be used in the device. When it is desired to separate the members and 26,`the ilanges 32ay and 38 are unlocked by prying them apart, andthe ridge members 26 are then Withdrawnwithout `damage to either of the members. Y

To provide a nished appearance and aid in the deflection of water', the surface I3 is terminated by an outer pair of troughs 25a1whichare provided with an outer downwardly extending ange for additional protection, asis best seen in Fig. 3. In all other respectsthe troughs k25a are similar to the troughs 25. A

In a closed awning of this type, it is necessary Isurface lf3-bythe troughs 25,-and it can also'be understood that Athere are -no horizontal surfaces present .inthe device top'ermit the accumulation to provide adequate means for the circulation of l air through the device. If no provision is made, 'the warm rising airwill collect beneath the awning and the high point immediately adjacent the building, and will pass undesirable heat through the window. We have provided novel means to allow free circulation of air through the awning without sacrificing the direct protection afnforded by the continuous awning surface I3. As can best be seen in Fig. 3, the highest point-at any cross-section of the awning is immediately beneath the central band of each ridge-member 26. From this position, the rising air passes `upwardly along the channelled surface of each ridge 26 until it reaches the upper end thereof. 'As'previously mentioned, a vent opening 39=-is provided in the-space between the lip l1 and the top of the ridge 26 so that the rising air is free to pass through this opening and away from the awning. Since the'angular support IS Vis open,- ended, cross-circulation is further provided to aid in carrying away the heated -air from the upper end of the ridges 25. It shouldalso be noted that the ow path of the air is not circuitous, each ridge 26 being in effecta flue, to -provide an unrestricted path for the upward ow of air. Further provision for'venting the awning is made by a. pluralityv of slits or vents 5D formed near the upper end of each ridge member 26 as I another exit for the warm rising air. As rcan bestibe seen in Fig. 2, each vent is provided with a hooded downwardly facing cowl 5| which defiects any water therearound and prevents dripping into the interior of the awning.

The suitability of the device for protection against all of the elements can now'be clearly understood. The awning surface I3 is impervious to 'all of the elements, and because of the downward overlap of the flanges 38 and the flanges 32, there can beno leakage between the trough and ridge members 25 and 26. The'overhanging portions 34 and 40 provide additional-protection lagainst obliquely driven rain and sleet, and as best Seen in Fig. 2, the angularoverlap of the ridges 2E above the base portion l5 tends to prevent any' water entry therebetween. If water should nd its way under the ridge members 2S, it will run into the horizontal trough created by the lip l1 and base l5, where it will be carried outwardly from the awning. Water dripping down .the buildingwall will fall into the horizontal trough created by the upper lip IB and will be similarly carried away from the awning. 1 'f Excellent drainage is provided on the awning is av durable andl truly permanent device.

ficient circulation and drainage means are proof wateril-The slightly'inclined position ofthe overhanging troughl portion 34 directs the drain- Yage away from .the awning, and prevents any splatnterin'g inwardly against the building surface. These drainage `vprovisions likewise resist the ac- `cumulationfof snow or sleet on the awning, and

there areY no crevices nor projectionsy against lwhich such a mass can collect. f The surface I3 is smooth and non-frictional and tends to cause --any large mass to slide free of the device as soon as it is formed. Further, the ribbed surface of 'the troughs 25 and ridges 26 are adapted to Withv:stand a large deflecting force without buckling,

Suf-

videdwithout sacrificing the direct protection vafiorded, and the unique inter-engagement of the members 'provide-s an easily modied -and lightand install.

While we haveshown `and described the pre- -weight structure which issimple tomanufa'cture `ferre'd'embodiment of our invention, it will- Ibe understood that various changes in the design and construction can be made by those skilled in the art; and wey do not Wish to be limited except as defined in thejappended claims.

1. An awning which includes: generallyhorizontal supporting means; a plurality vof spaced parallel trough members secured to, and inclined downwardly from said supporting means to provide longitudinally extending drainage surfaces, thelowerend of each member being deiiected to forman overhanging skirt portion angularly intersecting said'drainage surface; upwardlyturned lateral flanges on the inclined and overhanging portions of said trough members; a plurality of parallel ridge members in alternate staggered relationship with said trough members, thefedges of said ridge members each being in alignment with one edge of each of two adjacent troughv members, and the lower end lof each ridge member being deflected' to form an overhanging portion parallel to said overhanging skirt portion; and downwardly convergent lateral flanges on said ridge members, said flanges on said inclined portion being slidably engaged with the flanges of said trough members to provide a continuous yrigid. surface, and said anges kon said 'overhanging 'portion being deformable to permit the `same to pass over sa'id skirt flanges and resilient whereby to spring back into engagement with said skirt flanges to interlock said members.

2. An awning which includes:l generally horizontal vsupporting means; a plurality'of spaced parallel trough members secured to, and inclined downwardly from said supporting means to pro'- vide longitudinally extending drainage surfaces,

lthe lower end of each member being deflected to of parallel ridge members positioned in alternate staggered relationship with said trough members,

the edges of said ridge members each being in .alignment with one edge each of two adjacent trough membersf the lowerend 'of each member being deflected to forman `overhanging portion parallel to saidv -skirt-.portion, sand the upper end Acantal.,upper support of. tangularfcross section having a ver-tical wall and a vclown-wardly inclined base section; a Aplurality of spacedparallel trough members secured beneath and inclined downwardly from-said base section tovproviderlond gitudinally extending-drainage surfaces, the lower end ofeach member being deflected to `form Yan `overhanging skirt portion -angularly intersecting said .drainage surface; upwardly convergent lateraranges onthe inclined and overhanging portions of` said trough members .extending substantially the length thereof; a pluralitygoff parallel ridge members having upwardly elevated 'surfaces, :said members being positionedl in alternate .staggered relationship withsaid troughs, the lower A endI of leach member being deflected toyform an overhangingfporti-on parallel to said skirt vportion and the upperend surface being spaced above said base secion to -provide a longitudinally `extending air passage; and downwardly convergent lateral flanges `o-n said ridge members, said anges on the inclined portions being sl-idably engaged with `the flangesof saidtrough members to provideiacontinuous rigid surface, and said flanges on said overhangling .portionbeing deformable to permit `the same toipass over said. skirt flanges and resilient whereby to spring fbackinto enga-gement with said skirt .flanges Yto interlocksaid members.

4g An `awning which includes nagenerally horizontal upper support lof angular. crosssection having va vertical wall .adapted to be secured to a building structure and adownwardlyinclined base section with anupturned outerlipthereon forming a horizontalv trough; aplurality :3f-spaced parallel trough members securedbeneathandin.- clined ydownwardly fromsaid base .section .to provide' longitudinally extending .drainage surfaces, the lower endof each member .being deected to forman 4overhanging. skirt portion angularly l ini.

, andthe upper .end 'surface being spacedabove saidupturned-lip and overhanging.saidhorlzontal trough'A to provide a 'longitudinally extending vent allowing the upward passage of air. but preventing 'water entry therein; and .ldownwardly v-convergent lateral lianges onsaid ridge members,

ably engaged .with .the .anges-of vsaid trough members to provide acontinuousrigid surface, and said flanges on said overhangingfportion being Ideformable. tonpermit-:the same to pass: over said `skirt flanges-and resilient whereby-to spring Ilf back into engagement with Vsaid skirt angesto interlock saidf members.- l

5i awning which includes.:- a )general-ly horizon-tal'.upper support ofangula-r cross section having. a'vertical wall adapted to `be secured' toa .building :structure and afdownwardly inclined base-.section with .an upturned outer llip thereonformingaahorizontal trough; a lower support .parallel to said upper support and -outwardly' disposed vtherefrom'; inwardly directed side 4braces connectedy to said-lower vsupport `and `adapted to be secured to lsaid building structure.; a plurality of spacedparallelitroughmembers vsecured beneath and inclinedy downwardly .from .said base section vto provide longitudinally extending-'drainage surfacesfthe lower -end ofeach member beingdenected to form a skirt portion 'overhanging .saidilowersupporn and angularl-y .intersecting said drainage surface; upwardly convergent lateral fdangeslonl the inclinedand overhanging4 portionsfof said trough Al-nembers extending substantially the `lengththereof; a pluralityfof parallel ridge members in alternate staggered relationshipwith 4said trough Vvinembersf the lower end-of each ridge vmember being deected toform 'an overhanging portion parallel to :said .ski-rt portion, and the Iupper end .surface-:being-spaced above said upturned lip and overhanging said horizontal trough to provide a longitudinally extending ,vent allowing the upward.passage ofair but preventing water entry therein; supplemental hooded air-vents extendingtransversely across said ridgemembers near .the upper end thereof.; and downwardly convergent lateral iianges on said ridge members, said flanges `on the inclined y-portion .being vslidably engaged with the flanges of-said trough members to provide a continuous rigid surface, and Ysaid angesony said overhanging portion being deformable to permit the same -to vpass over said skirt flanges rand resilient whereby to spring back-into engagement withy said skirt `flanges to jinterlock said members.` l

6.An awning which includes:4 a generally horizontal upper support of angular cross section having a vertical securing wall and a downwardlyinclined base section with an upturned Kcontinuous outer lip thereon forming -a 4horizontal.-rain gutter; a `generally horizontal lower support parallel 'to and forward of said-upper support; a plurality. ofspacedtroughs secured to-and-inclineddownwardly across said supports to fprovide longitudinally extending drainage surfaces-,said troughs 4being longitudinally ribbed to form a trilateral-upwardly open surface; angular .upwardly convergent flanges extending along Vthe .sides of .said troughs yand formed integrally therewith; .a pluralityof parallel-ridges having trilateral. downwardly open surfaces vand posi- (.tioned in alternate .staggered relationship with said .troughsrthe upper end ofleach .ridge terminating short of said Vertical securing walland overhangingsaid gutter in spaced relationship to .denne .a longitudinal exhaust 'stack-communie v .eating .withltheinteriorof said ridge, and said horizontal gutter cooperating .to prevent the entry. of water therein; and angular downwardly-convergent .flanges extended along' 'the sidesof saidridges 1and adapted Ato interlock slid- .ably with vthe anges of said troughs toprovide a continuous .rigid surface, the spacing of lsaid troughs .beings uch that said trilateral surfaces are 4sprung-slightly Vupon the engagement of said iianges tohold the samein iirmzfrietional en- 'gagementn 7. An awning which includes: a generally horizontal upper support of angular cross section having a vertical securing wall and a downwardly inclined base section with an upturned continuous outer lip thereon forming a horizontal rain gutter; a generally horizontal lower support parallel to and forward of said upper support; a plurality of spaced troughs secured perpendicularly to said supports, passing over said lower support and lying ush with the underside of said base section; angular upwardly convergent flanges extending along the sides of said troughs and formed integrally therewith; a plurality of parallel ridges positioned in alternate staggered relationship with said troughs, the upper end of each ridge terminating short of said vertical securing wall and overhanging said gutter in spaced relationship to define a longitudinal exhaust stack communieating with the interior of said ridge, and said horizontal gutter cooperating to prevent the entry of water therein; and angular downwardly convergent flanges extended along the sides of said ridges and adapted to interlock slidably with the flanges of said troughs to provide a continuous rigid surface, said flanges being cut back from the upper end of said ridges to abut the outer face of said gutter.

8. An awning which includes: a generally horizontal upper support of angular cross section having a vertical securing wall anda downwardly inclined base section with an upturned continuous outer lip thereon forming a horizontal rain gutter; a generally horizontal lower support parallel to and forward of said upper support; a plurality of spaced troughs secured perpendicularly to said supports, passing over said lower support and secured to the underside of said upper support, said troughs being longitudinally ribbed to form a trilateral upwardly open surface; angular upwardly convergent flanges extending along the sides of said troughs and formed integrally therewith; a plurality of parallel ridges having trilateral downwardly open surfaces and positioned in alternate staggered relationship with said troughs, the upper end of each ridge terminating short of 4said vertical securing wall and overhanging said gutter in spaced relationship to define a longitudinal exhaust stack communicating with the interior of said ridge, and said horizontal gutter cooperating to prevent the entry of water therein; and angular downwardly convergent flanges extended along the sides of said ridges and adapted to interlock slidably with the flanges of said troughs to provide a continuous rigid surface, said flanges being cut back from the upper end of said ridges 10 to abut the outer face of said gutter. the spacing of said troughs being such that said trilateral surfaces are sprung slightly upon the engagement of said flanges to hold the same in rm frictional engagement.

9. An awning which includes: a generally horizontal upper support of angular cross section having a vertical wall adapted to be secured to a building structureand terminated by an angular upper lip to define an upper rain gutter for diverting water flowing down said building, vthe base section of said support inclining downwardly and having a continuous outer lip thereon dening a lower rain gutter; a generally horizontal lower support parallel to and forward of said upper support; a plurality of spaced troughs secured perpendicularly to said supports, passing over said lowerv support and lying flush with the underside of -said base section; angular upwardly convergent anges extending along the sides of said troughs and formed integrally therewith; a plurality of parallel ridges positioned in alternate staggered relationship with said troughs, the upper end of each ridge terminating short of said vertical securing wall in such position as to lie beneath said upper rain gutter and overhanging said lower gutter in spaced relationship to define a longitudinal exhaust stack communicating with the interior of said ridge, and said upper and lower gutters cooperating to prevent the ventry of water therein; and angular downwardly convergent anges extended along the sides of said ridges and adapted to interlock slidably with the nanges of said troughs to provide a continuous rigid surface, said flanges being cut back from the upper end of said ridges to abut the outer face of said gutter.

DAVID KRAMER. OLIN I-I. STAPP.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 968,061 Kramer Aug. 23, 1910 1,330,493 Perrusi Feb. 10, 1920 2,101,695 Waddell Dec. 7, 1937 2,256,941 Crawford Sept. 23, 1941 2,270,218 Palmer Jan. 13, 1942 2,441,081 Perry `et al May 4, 1948 2,442,891 Harrrison et al June 8, 1948 2,484,987 Eschrich Oct. 18, 1949 2,539,705 Simonton Jan. 30, 1951 2,542,919 Freeman Feb. 20, 1951 2,549,201 Hunter Apr. 17, 1951 

